The Spirit Moves - (A Haunted Haven Mystery) by Carol J Perry (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Innkeeper Maureen Doherty is well aware that no one--when asked why they come to Florida--says, "For the ghosts." But her historic Haven House Inn has spirits to spare, and just when she thinks she's met every ghost in town--a new one pops up to help solve a murder. Or so it seems . . .

When the body of "how-to" book writer Terry Holiday is found by Aster Paterson in her flower garden, the townspeople of Haven are shocked. But they're even more surprised when the beloved bookshop owner insists that the spirit of her late husband Peter Paterson led her to the grim discovery. Only Aster seems unsurprised--she's been baking his favorite shortbread cookies every day, hoping to lure his ghost back home . . .

Even Maureen is a little skeptical--until Peter's ghost appears in the bookshop window for all to see. Haven's hard-headed realist cop Frank Hubbard is determined to unveil whatever trickery led to the apparition, as he suspects the answer to who killed Terry Holiday may be connected to the illusion.

If Maureen's learned anything since she moved from New England and inherited her haunted inn, it's that 1) ghosts are real (at least some of them), and 2) so are murderers. She doesn't need a how-to manual to solve a murder; she's done it before. But with suspects ranging from a mystery writers group to a ghostwriter who just checked in at the inn, she will need a little help from her spirited sleuths . . .

Review Quotes

Praise for the Haunted Haven Mystery Series

"The charming sequel to Be My Ghost will delight readers of paranormal cozy mysteries who enjoy quirky characters and a Christmas setting." - Library Journal on High Spirits

"Charming...Paranormal cozy fans will get their money's worth." --Publishers Weekly on High Spirits

"Wil Maureen be able to defend her staff and guests and help solve this case? You'll have fun finding out." --Modern Dog (Connie's Book Club Pick) on High Spirits

"Maureen Doherty--the smart, forthright protagonist of this exceptional paranormal cozy launch from Perry... is a breath of fresh air in the cozy world: no ruminating on her looks or past tragic loves, no drowning her sorrows in cookies and cake. The ghosts, in a refreshing departure from most paranormal cozies, don't take center stage, and entertaining subplots, such as her efforts to discover why Miss Gray left her the inn, keep the pages turning. Readers will look forward to Maureen's further adventures." --Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW for Be My Ghost

"A laid-off retailer left a property by a mysterious benefactor tries to make it a profitable business in spite of the dead man on the front porch...Perry's new series kickoff smartly doesn't give away its biggest mysteries." --Kirkus Reviews on Be My Ghost

"Perry ("Witch City" series) kicks off a character-rich series with this installment, which leaves unresolved Maureen's mysterious connection to Penelope Gray, for future books. Readers of E. J. Copperman's "Haunted Guesthouse" mysteries will enjoy this title." --Library Journal on Be My Ghost

"Dive right into this diverting cozy!...Will they crack the case? You'll have fun finding out." --Modern Dog (Connie's Book Club Pick) on Be My Ghost

"Perry's ability to create a world filled with people and events you want to spend time with is plenty of reason to stick with the series, and some mostly off-stage crime solving that lets Maureen prove her resourcefulness and gives her reason to interact with the ghosts adds just the right bit of spice." --Reviewing the Evidence on Be My Ghost

About the Author

Carol J. Perry was born in Salem on Halloween Eve. She is the bestselling author of the Witch City Mysteries and the Haunted Haven Mystery series as well as a number of young adult novels. She and her husband Dan live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida with a black Lab. Visit her at CarolJPerry.com.